Criminal Justice News

Thursday, May 29, 2014

A current Puerto Rico Superior Court Judge and Puerto Rico
businessman were charged with orchestrating a criminal scheme in which
the businessman paid bribes to the judge presiding over the criminal
case against the businessman according to an indictment unsealed today.

Assistant
Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s
Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez of the
District of Puerto Rico, and Special Agent in Charge Carlos Cases of the
FBI’s San Juan Division made the announcement.

“The outcome of a
criminal case should be determined by the evidence and the law, not by
paid-for bias,” said Assistant Attorney General Caldwell. “When
citizens can’t have faith in the very people who are sworn to uphold the
law, confidence in the entire system is shaken. We are committed to
restoring that faith by rooting out corruption wherever it may be
found.”

“A fair and impartial criminal justice system is one of
the cornerstones of our democracy,” said U.S. Attorney Rodríguez-Vélez.
“Judges, in particular, are expected to protect the public’s trust in
the fairness of the judicial system. Investigations such as the one
leading to today’s indictment are crucial to deter corrupt officials
influenced by greed from breaking their oath to uphold the rule of law.
This case should serve as a strong warning to those who might
consider similar behavior. No one is above the law and everyone is
accountable for their misdeeds.”

“Rogue justice as the one
allegedly imparted by Judge Manuel Acevedo-Hernández will not be
tolerated by the FBI,” said Special Agent in Charge Cases.
“The FBI will continue vigorously to investigate allegations of corruption at all levels.”

The
indictment, returned yesterday by a federal grand jury in the District
of Puerto Rico and unsealed today, charges Manuel Acevedo-Hernandez, 62,
and Lutgardo Acevedo-Lopez, 39, with conspiracy to commit federal
programs bribery.
Acevedo-Hernandez was also charged with receipt of a bribe by an
agent of an organization receiving federal funds, and Acevedo-Lopez was
charged with paying a bribe to an agent of an organization receiving
federal funds.

According to the indictment,Acevedo-Hernandez,
a Supervisory Superior Court Judge in the Aguadilla judicial region of
Puerto Rico, allegedly accepted bribes from Acevedo-Lopez
and others, knowing that the payments were made so that
Acevedo-Hernandez would use his official position as a Superior Court
judge for Acevedo-Lopez’s benefit.
In particular, Acevedo-Hernandez presided over a criminal trial
of Acevedo-Lopez and acquitted Acevedo-Lopez of all charges pending
against him, including vehicular homicide.
In exchange for the acquittal, Acevedo-Lopez, through an
intermediary, bribed Acevedo-Hernandez by paying taxes owed by
Acevedo-Hernandez, paying for construction of a garage, and providing
him with a motorcycle,
clothing and accessories, including cufflinks and a watch.The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations.
The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The
case is being investigated by the FBI’s San Juan Division and is being
prosecuted by Trial Attorney Peter Mason of the Criminal Division’s
Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Henwood
and Jose Capo of the District of Puerto Rico.

Citizens of Puerto
Rico who have allegations of public corruption are encouraged to contact
the FBI’s San Juan Division at (787) 754-6000.